BP Funds Biofuel Project

NEW YORK - Jun 14/07 - SNS -- Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. and BP will collaborate on developing biofeedstocks for the production of cellulosic biofuels.

In addition to funding the five-year biofuels research program, BP will become a shareholder of Mendel with representation on Mendel's Board.

Working with BP, Mendel aims to be at the forefront of seed supply into the future energy grass seed market. Mendel has already established a breeding program for perennial grass variety improvement and will accelerate this program in collaboration with BP. Mendel will establish breeding stations in the Midwest and the Southeast United States, and accelerate breeding collaborations with groups in Germany and China.

In a press statement, the companies assert, "As the biofuel industry matures, new biofeedstocks will be needed for the production of bio-derived molecules from the entire carbohydrate portion of the plant. To ensure a consistent supply of feedstocks to refineries, a new seed industry is needed to provide farmers with high-yielding varieties, and a new service industry is needed to ensure the delivery of feedstocks to the refineries."